Brown's Cakes takes top accolade at Town Centre Business Awards

A Brown's Cake

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Brown's Cakes took the top accolade at the Rochdale Town Centre Business Awards at China City last night winning Best Independent Retailer and Best Business Overall.

Brown's, based on St Mary's Gate in Rochdale Town Centre, specialises in hand-crafted wedding cakes, birthday cakes, christening cakes and celebration cakes.

Congratulations for owner Natasha Brown were forthcoming from many quarters, Suzy Woods, whose last event this was before leaving Rochdale Town Centre Management (RTCM), said: "Congratulations Natasha, you really deserve your awards."

Natasha could not be at the awards ceremony but on hearing the news of her awards sent a message: "Delighted to have won the Best Independent Retailer Award but gutted I'm not there to receive it!"

The Awards focus on rewarding good customer service in town centre businesses.

• Best Business Overall - Brown's Cakes
• Best Independent Retailer - Brown's Cakes
• Best National Retailer - Cartridge World
• Best Service Provider - Ladies Only Gym
• Best Long Serving Business - John Peers
• Best Eating Place - Best Cod in Town
• Special Award - Mick Worrall, B & M Bargains
• Employee of the Year - Jenny Gardener, Yates

Kelly Turner-Mitchell, owner of 25Ten Boutique, who took second place in the Best Independent Retailer category, said: "Congratulations to Cartridge World for winning Best National Retailer."

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said: "Well done to Rochdale Town Centre Management for an excellent town centre business awards evening and congratulations to all the winners."

Debbie O’Brien, RTCM Chief Executive, said “This year the awards were a fantastic success with the businesses involved really embracing the spirit of the event.

"The event was all about businesses having an opportunity to showcase themselves using the evening as an opportunity to network with other businesses and enjoy a really fun filled atmosphere.

"Rochdale town centre really does have some fantastic businesses with some great employees.” 

Guests enjoyed a Chinese banquet and were entertained with a Kung Fu demonstration.

Businesses were ‘mystery shopped’ and scored on various aspects of their mystery shopper’s experience, such as staff approach, customer service and staff image. Additionally, members of the public voted for their favourite shop in each of the award categories. A panel of judges then met taking this into consideration before short listing the finalists and choosing the winners.